Remind me again..why shouldn't I "adjust" my kid's age?

[MickysTheMan]

Ok, I know, I know...lying is wrong....BUT...

My youngest son will be 3 years 1 month when we visit DisneyWorld next. Letting them think he's 2 would save me, literally, HUNDREDS of dollars. I know there are lots of good reasons why not to lie about it. I'm not sure I want to know those reasons, but let's hear 'em. Any other advice on this topic (like, "don't worry, I do that all the time!" would be great too. Thanks!

 

[boxer]

I'm sorry, but there are FAR worse things you can do in your life than saying your child is 1 MONTH younger than they really are.........I think if you actually polled everyone here PRIVATELY, you would see that most would take the discount.

Its not like he/she is going to ride any more or any less rides by being 3 rather than 2..........do what you feel is best-----and I can tell you that couple extra hundred dollars will go RIGHT back into Disney pockets, so they win EITHER way!!!

Good luck, and on with the soon-to-be flames.....lol.

 

[msmayor]

Ok, I know, I know...lying is wrong....BUT...

My youngest son will be 3 years 1 month when we visit DisneyWorld next. Letting them think he's 2 would save me, literally, HUNDREDS of dollars. I know there are lots of good reasons why not to lie about it. I'm not sure I want to know those reasons, but let's hear 'em. Any other advice on this topic (like, "don't worry, I do that all the time!" would be great too. Thanks!

Because in your first sentence, you answered your own question. In your heart of hearts, you know its wrong.

Because everyone knows that the day comes when our child no longer qualifies in the 'free' category, regardless of how close his/her birthday is.

Because we should all pay our fair share.

Because we expect others to be honest with us.

Because its the right thing to do.

 

[seashoreCM]

Let your conscience be your guide. There is no need to have a long list of replies about the subject repeated here.

The answer is not here: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[VEROFORUS]

I have to tell you I would say the child is still 2. Like you said, I would worry about it a little bit, but I am a very frugle person. One time we were purchasing our tickets at our resort and the CM gave us a child ticket by mistake for our DD 11 at the time, we actually did point it out to her, because we were afraid we would be questioned at the gate. She tried to fix it on her computer but had difficulty and just said to leave it as a child ticket that no one at the gate would say anything, so we did. I seriously doubt that you will even be questioned about it. Enjoy your savings one last time, I am sure Disney has and will in the future make plenty of money from your family.

 

[kj2mom]

I think there are lots of reasons but what about the innocence of a child? When people ask how hold he is are you going to pratice with him saying for the time you are in Disney he is still two?

If I had been trying to save the money I would have planned the vacation before his birthday. Since you are going after his birthday then I would say purchase the appropriate tickets.

 

[grimley1968]

Yet another thread about how to get a dishonest discount? Come on!

Do what you want to do. As another poster said, let your conscience be your guide. I wouldn't do this, but I'm not you.

I cannot understand why people feel the need to continually post ethics threads, when they know what they're talking about is lying. What difference should opinions on an anonymous Disney fan forum about theme parks make in your own personal decision-making? If you feel lying is wrong, then it's wrong, no matter how many opinions are posted on here one way or the other. Please just do what you want to do. There should be no need for others to validate your own behavior. That is the job of your conscience, not mine or anyone else's.

 

[boxer]

.....the best part of all this is it's not even like the money saved will go into a 401k or something------it will go RIGHT BACK INTO DISNEY's pockets one way or another!!! lol.

I know if I was in this situation, I would say "ok, now we got another $200, lets stay at a deluxe this time".

But again, this is probably why I live paycheck to paycheck....lol.

 

[princesstommi]

Because in your first sentence, you answered your own question. In your heart of hearts, you know its wrong.

Because everyone knows that the day comes when our child no longer qualifies in the 'free' category, regardless of how close his/her birthday is.

Because we should all pay our fair share.

Because we expect others to be honest with us.

Because its the right thing to do.

ITA.

Also:
Are you going to teach your probably *very proud to be 3!* son to lie about his age at Disney? Especially since I'm guessing you would have celebrated the happy occasion very recently. Children are regularly directly asked by CMs their age.

If saving money is your ultimate goal, move your trip back by 5 weeks.

 

[Biscuitsmom31]

My brother-in-law did this at our local zoo last year. He said his three year old was two to get her in for free. My eight year old son was so bothered by this he still asks me about it. Why did he do that? You said it's wrong to lie, etc. I think maintaining your integrity and credibility with your own children is worth more than a few hundred bucks.

Of course, this is coming from the same person who took her 3 year old son to Epcot in cowboy boots so he'd be tall enough for Soarin. BTW - he was able to get on and absolutely loved it and still talks about it. (I guess some would consider that cheating - but I paid for his ticket! )

 

[jaysue]

ITA.

Also:
Are you going to teach your probably *very proud to be 3!* son to lie about his age at Disney? Especially since I'm guessing you would have celebrated the happy occasion very recently. Children are regularly directly asked by CMs their age.

If saving money is your ultimate goal, move your trip back by 5 weeks.

Well put!

Cheers
jaysue

 

[rejobako]

I'll bet every person on this board has, at one time or another, purposely exceeded the speed limit without being pulled over, and not one of you has gone down to the police station to turn yourselves in. It's a glass houses situation for me. I am fortunate to be able to afford to take my family to Disney occasionally without fudging my kids' age. But I just can't bring myself to judge anyone else for doing differently.

For that reason, I agree with those who suggest that this kind of crime without a victim (try as I might, I cannot get all misty-eyed at the thought of the Disney conglomerate's great loss here) is a matter for one's own conscience. Although I also agree that there is some concern about how to explain this to a toddler who might perceive the fib.

 

[rejobako]

BTW - he was able to get on and absolutely loved it and still talks about it. (I guess some would consider that cheating - but I paid for his ticket! )

Height restrictions aren't about money, but safety. If he had been injured because he wasn't tall enough for the safety features to properly restrain him, you might have sued Disney and then Disney might have to raise its prices to cover the cost of your damages judgment . . . .

Just kidding. But I do think this plays into my previous post -- what you did was a "crime" without a victim, but I don't think you should be judged for it any more than the cash-strapped family who saves a few bucks at the entrance gate. They're bank account is just a little bit short, like your son in line.

 

[malibuconlee]

I know I won't be able to put this as eloquently as I've seen it, but other than the obvious reasons of it's just wrong to lie...

If, God forbid, your child were to be injured while at WDW what would happen when they found out that you lied and didn't buy your child a ticket? What would be the legal ramifications of that action?

It's just not a good idea.

I agree with the above poster that doesn't understand why these type of moral questions are continually asked. Your conscience knows it's wrong enough to make you ask for validation for it.

If you want your children to tell you the truth you MUST lead by example.

 

[Tinker74]

Theres been so many threads lately about "lieing"...I hate it when I see them because it usually turns into a flame fest...and sometimes I feel I have to defend someone...who is taking a bashing.
I have learnt this much...Don't ask that question here . everyone has there own opinion on this and everyone is entitled to their own opinion...It s best to just do whatever YOU feel...don't listen to anyone else...because we are all different
I personally don't see a problem with it..If it would save me a lot I would probably do it...but I understand and respect also that some people it doesn't sit well with and they would absoutley not do it.
Its a grey area...so we should all answer only to ourselves...and not try to convince others of our opinion.

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

We encountered this "dilemma" on our last trip to Disney. Our son turned 3 just 3 weeks before our trip. It was tempting to say he was still 2, but DH & I agreed that it would be wrong. I will say, though, that if you've been to Disney with your child, they have his birthdate in their records. When planning that last trip, when I made reservations, the CM asked if DH, DD, & DS (all by name) would be joining me. Then she proceeded to tell me the kids' birthdates. Good thing we'd decided NOT to lie!

The only "dishonest" thing we did was regarding the Fantasmic dinner package at Mama Melrose's. My DS was EXTREMELY picky -- he didn't eat any meat, cheese, pasta, or veggies. He lived off of peanut butter sandwiches or pb crackers and fruit. When I made the ADRs (PSs at the time), I asked if the restaurant could make DS a peanut butter sandwich. I'd read on these boards that most restaurants were very accommodating & could/would make special things not on the menu. He transferred me to the actual restaurant. They said they absolutely could NOT make a pb sandwich. I called back to complete my PS. I asked the CM if I had to pay $9.99 for DS for the Fantasmic dinner package if there was NOTHING he would eat. If they would have made him a sandwich, I would have GLADLY paid $9.99 for it. The CM said, "I'm just going to put him in the computer as being 2." Turned out, though, that DS slept in his stroller through that entire meal. Then, we fed him crackers & fruit after he woke up later in the park. I would not have done that at a buffet or pre-plated meal where we fed him off of our plates. That wouldn't have been fair. But we didn't get anything that we didn't pay for, really.

As Jiminy Crickett says, "Always let your conscience be your guide."

 

[AndyMcV]

My personal take is that they shouldn't be charging "hundreds of dollars" for children that are 3. I think that is reduculous. Sure they should be charged something because a 3 year old can definitly experience some magic, but, hundreds?, come on....

If my child was 4 or 5 I would state that that is their true age. If they were a month out, hmmm, realistically I would turn a blind eye.

Just my $0.02.

 

[dixiedizfan]

We went to MK two months ago. At the entrance turnstyles I heard a CM VERY loudly ask a young couple how old their child (in a stroller) was .. he asked them if he was three. The couple were not English-speaking, and the father answered "one month" ... obviously meaning their son had just turned three a month prior. The CM then shouted to them "Sir, you need to buy your child a ticket!". Everyone stared and the couple was so embarrassed. Just think ... that could be you!

 

[AndyMcV]

Ok, ok... after thinking about it, I can't lie. I'd tell the truth.

BUT I still think it's rediculous that they charge so much for a little 3 year old.

My personal take is that they shouldn't be charging "hundreds of dollars" for children that are 3. I think that is reduculous. Sure they should be charged something because a 3 year old can definitly experience some magic, but, hundreds?, come on....

If my child was 4 or 5 I would state that that is their true age. If they were a month out, hmmm, realistically I would turn a blind eye.

Just my $0.02.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Ok, I know, I know...lying is wrong

You have answered your own question.